GLAMORGAN are being lined up to face Twenty20 world champions West Indies in a warm-up game in Cardiff ahead of next summer’s Champions Trophy.

GLAMORGAN are being lined up to face Twenty20 world champions West Indies in a warm-up game in Cardiff ahead of next summer’s Champions Trophy.

The county are hosting five 50-over matches in the tournament with the Swalec Stadium joining Edgbaston and the Oval as the three host destinations.

Now WalesOnline understands Chris Gayle and his team-mates are set to be given the chance to experience Cardiff conditions before Wales hosts the tournament opener between India and South Africa on June 6.

This would be the first fixture for Glamorgan against an international side since Sri Lanka played in Cardiff in 2002.

Glamorgan have refused to comment on the West Indies but chief executive Alan Hamer said: Glamorgan will play one of the eight teams as a warm-up game.

"That will add a bit of of relevance to the competition with our supporters seeing]Glamorgan play an international match for the first time in many a year."

Meanwhile, Robert Croft has admitted not playing for England in Cardiff remains his biggest cricket regret.

Croft, who retired this summer at the age of 42, is Glamorgan’s most capped international player having featured in 21 Tests and 50 one-day matches between 1996 and 2001.

But the off-spinner never managed to run out for England in Cardiff who have boast regular international cricket since the historic Ashes Test of 2009 and this recent tradition will continue next summer.

Speaking at the official Welsh launch of the tournament yesterday, Croft admitted he was saddened his international career had not coincided with top-class cricket at the Swalec Stadium.

“My one regret I probably have is not being able to run out for England, which I like to call the British Lions, in Cardiff,” said Croft.

“It is a huge opportunity for our players now because years ago when Welsh players were sprinkled in the England side, the home matches were always over the other side of the bridge.

“Now the added incentive of not only playing for England, but also starring in Cardiff in front of your home crowd, is remarkable.”

Croft was in Cardiff with the First Minister Carwyn Jones to launch the tournament with the Swalec Stadium hosting the opening match, which is expected to attract a worldwide television audience of 100m.

“People should support this competition because you have international cricket on your doorstep,” added Croft.

“For a long time there has been an excuse of not being able to watch top-class international cricket in Wales.

“Now it is here.

“England have never lost a major match in Cardiff so home advantage is going to be crucial and this tournament will be important to the players.

“There are so many opportunities to see some spectacular moments of cricket on television but this is an opportunity to witness this live.

“It is a massive opportunity to grow the game in Wales and ignite the passion.”

The First Minister identified the tournament as another major top-class sporting event to be hosted in Wales.

“Our reputation for hosting top class cricket goes from strength to strength with this competition,” added Jones.

“The ICC Champions Trophy Tournament builds on Cardiff’s strong track record as a city that can host truly global sporting events and provides another great platform for raising Wales’ international profile.

“This stadium has already hosted an historic and very successful Ashes test and will host another in 2015.

"Players, officials and supporters alike are immensely fond of the 50 over one-day international format and this event sees the best of the best in action.

"This is a great time for Welsh sport, and to be able to mark Glamorgan's 125th anniversary in this way is a real accolade for us and recognition for the successful way international cricket has been staged in Cardiff.

"With two games on weekends... I hope the tournament appeals to cricket supporters across Wales and the west."

Due to contractual issues the Swalec Stadium will be renamed the Cardiff Wales Stadium for the tournament.

Fans can register their interest in the Champions Trophy tournament now at www.icc-cricket.com before ticket go on sale on Monday, November 5.

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